Malibu says bye-bye to plastic bags! On Monday, the City Council voted to banish single-use plastic bags AND plastic-like compostable bags at all retail stores big and small. And to encourage the use of reusable bags, the Malibu City Council also directed its staff to research fees for paper bags.
In six months, grocery stores, restaurants, pharmacies and city facilities will have to comply or face a fine of up to $1,000. Smaller vendors will have up to a year. Smaller retailers will get a year to de-plastic-bag their stores.
Since the ban refers to plastic bags given out at point-of-sale, it appears that the flimsier plastic bags available at produce sections of grocery stores will still be permitted.
By passing the ordinance, Malibu beat out the City of Santa Monica, which is also poised to ban plastic bags soon. The Santa Monica City Council directed its staff to draft an ordinance to ban plastic bags back in February, but has yet to actually pass the ordinance.
According to the City of Malibu's website, both plastic and compostable one-use bags were banned "since there are no Southern California facilities that can recycle the compostable types." Santa Monica, too, plans to ban compostable bags, citing both the lack of recycling facilities and the potential harm to marine life. In contrast, San Francisco's bag ban applies only to plastic bags; NoCal does have some industrial composting facilities that can break down compostable one-use bags.
To be honest, everything I hear about endangered species sounds both depressing and far away, partly because the Bush administration meddles too often in Endangered Species Act-related decisions, and partly because I just don't see these species often enough (perhaps because they're endangered) to have formed a deep, personal attachment to them.
Just to be clear, I'm not saying I don't care about endangered species. I do -- but the caring feels very abstract and cerebral, as opposed to heart-felt. But this Friday is Endangered Species Day -- a day that'll hopefully engage urbanites like me to get involved in preserving the natural habitat for animals we've only seen in zoos.
To get the public involved, zoos all over California are holding special Endangered Species Day events and exhibits! Actually, make that zoos all over California except the L.A. Zoo, which isn't planning anything because it's working on a "Meet the Berenstain Bears!" weekend event.
We do have one local event happening in Pasadena though. The Folk Tree store in Pasadena's currently showing a group exhibition titled "Endangered Species," which runs until Saturday, May 17.
I actually found out about Endangered Species Day from a turtle-loving nonprofit with an unwieldy name: The Association for the Protection of the Environment and the Marine Turtle in Southern Baja (ASUPMATOMA -- based on its name in Spanish). "Throughout the world, and in particular, the Gulf of Mexico region, sea turtle populations have been severely destroyed by years of careless fishing and hunting practices, exploitation of eggs, rapid land development, pollution, and destruction of sea turtle nesting habitats," they wrote me in an e-mail, urging me to write about the plight of sea turtles.
Part of me wants to get involved with these sea creatures, while another part of me's overwhelmed by the sheer number of species that are in similar dire straits.
I know many environmentalists sometimes get overwhelmed by the magnitude of environmental problems we have in the world. Usually I manage OK, but when I get to thinking about endangered species, I feel a sense of helplessness that lies somewhere between depression and repression. I'm wondering if "adopting" one species that I can focus on might be helpful -- puffins, maybe, except these birdies aren't actually endangered (though they are "threatened"). What's your favorite endangered species?
>> First-time tips for newbie cyclers who plan to two-wheel on Bike to Work Day tomorrow! Damien Newton of Streetsblog LA has links and tips for you to plan your ride while taking advantage of the many freebies that are going to be given out at pit stops tomorrow.
>> Are you a cyclist who occasionally drives? Then dump AAA and sign up for Better World, because the latter lets you add on a "bicycle membership" for just $17. In addition to bicycle road assistance, the deal includes a membership to the League of American Bicyclists, a subscription to Bicycling magazine, and other goodies. Car-free? Then get a bike-only membership for $39.95. (via Tiny Choices)
>> Cycling convo with council member. Mack Reed of LA Metblogs has an impromptu chat about bike trails with council member Tom LaBonge when the two are stopped at a red light.
>> Bicycles make a city healthier. Writes J. Matthew Roney for Earth Policy Institute: "Promoting the bike as a clean and efficient alternative to the personal automobile is a practical way for cities to reduce traffic congestion and smog. To simultaneously confront those problems as well as climate change and an emerging obesity epidemic, government leaders and advocacy groups are working to bring cycling back to prominence in the urban transport mix." (via The Cleanest Line)
Image of "Biking to Work" courtesy of Chelsea Green Publishing
Last September, parking spaces all over L.A. turned into temporary parks -- for a few hours. Park(ing) Day Los Angeles brought activists and artists and other open-space-loving people together to take back the city spaces usually reserved for immobilized vehicles. Some environmentalists even towed all the materials for the temporary park -- benches and trees and other fun stuff -- via bike! (You knew I'd get a bike tie-in somewhere; it's still Bike to Work Week!):
And the second Parking Day L.A.'s coming this September -- September 19, to be exact. Put it in your calendar now! Planning's already under way, with the goal "to broaden the scope of Park(ing) Day L.A. and create a successful program of events, which will help celebrate the opportunities for creating public space in Los Angeles."
Want to be one of the happy park people? Then all you have to do is go to the next Park(ing) Day LA meeting, happening Friday, May 16 at 1pm at AIA Los Angeles, 3780 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 800, Los Angeles. RSVP to will@aialosangeles.org.
If you can't make this meeting, don't despair. The Park(ing) Day L.A. group plans to meet the 3rd Friday of each month. Can't make any meetings? Don't fret. Says Will Wright, one of the organizers: "Of course, if you are interested in simply creating a park on Park(ing) Day - then you don't necessarily need to attend all of the steering committee meetings. Yet, your early participation is encouraged and welcome."
Help shape the Park(ing) Day of your dreams! You have four months to design and figure out how to create your ideal urban park at a parking spot close to you.
Natalie Cadranel (below, cycling) is the program director at a local environmental health nonprofit, Healthy Child Healthy World, as well as a volunteer at the Bikerowave.
This may be Bike to Work week, but I doubt most motorists are cruising the mean streets of L.A. with any more caution. Shifting the car culture mentality to include space for cyclists will be extremely difficult, but it is possible.
After spending most of my adult years in more bike-friendly cities like Davis, Calif., when I moved back to L.A. a few years ago I had forgotten about the cyclists vs. motorists war being waged in Los Angeles. I don't think I know one person who hasn't been clipped, cussed at or driven off the road while biking down here. It's no wonder people are disinclined to hop on a bike for their daily commute considering the lack of bike lanes, thoughtlessness of drivers, and an abundance of poorly-paved streets.
Fortunately, change is in the air. As gas and food prices continue to rise and the health-conscious Angelenos start looking for cheaper ways to get their exercise on and avoid getting in the car, buying a bike may be a very convenient option.
A lot of people are unwilling to adapt their schedule and mind to cycling vs. driving to their destinations, but those who do realize it's a worthwhile and rewarding change. Not only are you no longer sitting in traffic -- isolated in your car from the rest of the world, burning gallons of the most contentious natural resource of our time -- but you are greatly benefiting your health, sharpening your 5 senses, reducing traffic, and feeling the great effects of that endorphin release.
The more bikes on the road, the fewer cars, and the fewer cars on the road, the safer cyclists are from being hit. On top of that, those driving will most likely get to their destinations faster due to decreased auto traffic.
The numbers of L.A. cyclists have increased in the past few years, but we will have to dramatically strengthen our numbers on the streets and at city council meetings to start seeing real changes any time soon. After all, the more bikes out there, the more likely cyclists will engender change in our favor.
>> For the second time this year, Westside "Criminal Mass" bicyclists took to the 10 and 405 highways last Friday to protest things -- pollution, according to NBC, which aired some of the footage. (via LAist)
>> Will the Los Angeles Bicycle Advisory Committee get restructured and organized? Yes, if a motion (PDF) coming before the City Council Planning & Land Use (PLUM) Committee today gets passed. Cyclists have been criticizing the BAC for 64.9% attendance record and lack of action: "During ’07, the BAC took action 10 times. 6 of those actions were to approve minutes and 4 times the Committee voted to send a letter although there is no evidence that any letters were ever sent."
>> Best place to get a used bike: Coco's Variety in Silver Lake, according to Sean Bonner of LA Metblogs. "You can pick up a solid bike in fantastic condition often for less than a brand new piece of crap at Target will cost you, and it’ll last a lot longer too."
Permaculture classes have been going on for years, but many of these are
intensive, multi-week courses for the already-converted. This month,
L.A. county's getting some beginner-level events for the
permaculture-curious.
When I think permaculture -- roughly defined as sustainable design principles that seeks to create human habitats that mimic natural systems -- the first thing that comes to mind is organic and biodynamic, get your hands dirty, old fashioned farming. But since permaculture's not only a portmanteau for permanent and agriculture but also for permanent and culture, its principles -- proponents say -- can be adapted to urban areas and systems too.
Even if you're not ready to dive in with both Birkenstocked feet, you can try dipping your toe into the permaculture pool.
A good beginner's event happens this Friday: "A Taste of Permaculture: Principles, Ethics and Zones," led by Tyrone Fay of Earthcare Design Solutions, a pro-permaculture organization. Stop by to get an overview of permaculture this Friday, May 16, 7 pm, at the L.A. Eco-Village, 117 Bimini Place, Los Angeles. The cost of the workshop's $100 (sliding scale) and reservations are required; contact (213) 738-1254 or crsp@igc.org.
Those who want to do some hands-on permaculture work can sign up for an all-day series of rotating workshops on Saturday, titled "Hands-on: Soils & Gardening, orcharding, seedball"
That happens Saturday, May 17 from 8:30 am - 5 pm, also at the L.A. Eco-Village. The workshop costs $100, and pre-registration's required.
For those on the west side, put the "Santa Monica Community Permaculture Gathering" in your calendar. Intended as the first of a series of monthly meetings, this gathering's hoped "to begin to build a community of local citizens interested in bringing about real sustainable change in the neighborhoods that we live in," according to Sean Jennings, the organizer.
"My hope is that this meeting will be permaculture in action," says Jennings. "That means we will be meeting our neighbors, discussing problems and possible solutions, and identifying action that we can take as a community and actually make it happen."
The gathering happens on May 20 at 7 pm at the Santa Monica Main Library, Community Meeting Room, 601 Santa Monica Blvd., Santa Monica. For more info, email Jennings at swjennings@gmail.com.
Photo of people studying urban permaculture in Santa Cruz by matt bennett via Flickr
Scenes from "Revel with a Cause" Santa Monica Festival
On Saturday, I took advantage of the free valet bicycle parking at "Revel With a Cause," the eco-themed Santa Monica Festival happening at Clover Park. There's my chainless white bike to the right, being rolled away to be locked and guarded. I got a raffle ticket too, for my chance to win an unspecified prize.
Children seemed to be having the most fun, making recycled crafts in what seemed like every other booth.
Most trash stations had a volunteer letting people know what to throw where, though
whoever was supposed to be watching this one must have taken a break.
I left too early to win the raffle. But I collected my bike right after this very cute bicycling father-daughter duo (or uncle-niece or big bro-lil' sis). You can't tell very well from this picture, but both were expertly biking one-handedly while holding Icees in their left hands.
>> Every day's bike to work day for Karen at Losanjealous since her Honda "went to compact heaven in January.": "Getting around L.A. could be a lot less of a hassle for bikers, and the key is to get more of us out there. So stop making excuses and hop on the bike, maybe use the next five days as an experiment."
>> Higher gas prices mean the freeway's less like a parking lot now. Gas consumption's down -- and been going down for the last two years. "Meanwhile, ridership on mass transit has continued on an upswing. Metrolink commuter trains are averaging about 46,000 passengers each weekday, up from 44,000 a year ago."
>> The skinny on avoiding BPA, an endocrine disruptor that's been making the news a lot lately: Use only plastic containers that are labeled No. 1, No. 2, No. 4, or No. 5, or specifically marked "BPA-free." Avoid alll other plastics.
What do you think of Ed? That's Santa Monica's favored cartoon dude, used to illustrate the city's Environmental Directory (PDF).
Hot or not, Ed's your enviro man, educating Santa Monicans on air quality, farmers' markets, transportation, and everything in between. If you live in, or are planning to move to, Santa Monica, I strongly encourage you to download this Environmental Directory (PDF) to get a sense of the enviro-services and opportunities in the area.
At first I thought the Environmental Directory simply highlighted the city's environmental services. Turns out, Santa Monica's Ed relies A LOT on the work of independent nonprofits. In the "Ocean Water Quality" section, nonprofits Heal the Bay and Surfriders Foundation are named first, with city resources falling at the bottom of the list of resources. In the "Air Quality" section, the South Coast Air Quality Management District -- a larger governmental organization that oversees Orange County and parts of L.A., Riverside and San Bernardino counties -- tops the list, followed by the nonprofits National Resources Defense Council and Breathe California, before going on to recommend general books on the topic.
This may, of course, be the most efficacious presentation of resources available to city residents. Maybe all cities should weigh the roles of the federal, state, county, and state agencies as well as the locally active nonprofits in putting together its environmental directories.
On a more practical level, here are the numbers Santa Monica residents should call to report any enviro-violations:
My biggest peeves: wasted water, abandoned trash (i.e. half-destroyed furniture left in the alley), and loud leaf blowers. I call about this stuff, but rarely see the results I hope for. And like-minded readers are writing in about these issues too. It's time to investigate --
As a teenager, Siel sped past Paramount Studios on the 10 Metro bus to get to Fairfax High School. Now she cuts through the concrete jungle of Los Angeles on her pink Townie bike to shop at local farmers' markets and socialize in pre-loved Prada heels. A contributing editor to BlogHer, Siel also keeps a personal blog, green LA girl. Send your burning green questions to greenlagirl@gmail.com.
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Malibu says bye-bye to plastic bags! On Monday, the City Council voted to banish single-use plastic bags AND plastic-like compostable bags at all retail stores big and small. And to encourage the use of reusable bags, the Malibu City Council also directed its staff to research fees for paper bags. 
>> 
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